University of Virginia Library

To Ben. Ionson, on his VVorks.

May I subscribe a name? dares my bold quill
Write that or good or ill,
Whose frame is of that height, that, to mine eye,
Its head is in the sky?
Yes. Since the most censures, beleeves, and saith
By an implicit faith:
Lest their misfortune make them chance amisse,
I'le wast them right by this.
Of all I know thou onely art the man
That dares but what he can:
Yet by performance showes he can doe more
Than hath beene done before,
Or will be after (such assurance gives
Perfection where it lives.)
Words speak thy matter; matter fills thy words;
And choyce that grace affords
That both are best: and both most fitly plac't,
Are with new Venus grac't
From artfull method; all in this point meet,
With good to mingle sweet.
These are thy lower parts. What stands above
Who sees not yet must love,
When on the Base he reades Ben. Jonsons name,
And heares the rest from Fame.
This from my love of truth: which payes this due
To your just worth, not you.